The Clan Restoration Act
Chapter 1
A/N - The first proper chapter guys, and by the fact that you're reading this, I hope I have piqued your interest. Anyway, first chapter here, so enjoy if you can. Also,I've had this chapter for about a week but I couldn't upload because this site was playing. Anyone else been unable to login lately?
Naruto Uzumaki yawned as he woke up early the next morning. He'd prefer to sleep in, but since the conclusion of the Fourth Great Ninja War, he'd been going to the Academy three days a week to sharpen his mind for the day he became Hokage.
Naruto was in the middle of brushing his teeth when he stopped, hearing a knock at the door.
Taking his time to get there to, get dressed as he walked, Naruto opened the door to the sight of his long time friend, Shikamaru Nara, with a hand poised for a second round of knocking.
"Shikamaru? What are you doing here so early?" Naruto asked, scanning his friend over, and noticed how tired his friend seemed to be. "Come on in, I was about to have breakfast" Naruto offered in addition with his usual foxy grin.
"That'll be good, I haven't eaten yet... wait... it's not ramen is it?" Shikamaru asked, knowing his friend's love for the noodle dish.
Naruto scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, "Yeah... sorry".
Shikamaru sighed, knowing that would be the answer, "Better than an empty stomach I suppose" and with those words, Shikamaru let himself in, leaving his shoes at the door.
Five minutes later, Naruto and Shikamaru were seated at the table in silence, both watching the wall clock like hawks. When the second hand reached twelve, they placed their hands together and spoke, "Thank you for the food" and lifted the lids on the cup of ramen in front of them and began eating in silence.
Once finished, Naruto spoke to Shikamaru, who was yet to complete his meal, "Listen Shikamaru, it's nice of you to visit and all, you're always busy so we don't get to see each other often. But I'm supposed to go to the Academy today".
Shikamaru nodded through a mouthful of ramen, seemingly only half focused on Naruto's words.
"So we're going to have to make this quick; I start in half an hour" Naruto went on.
Shikamaru didn't reply, instead he swallowed his noodles and looked Naruto in the eye and said, "I need you to come with me Naruto".
Naruto sighed exasperatedly and growled, "Weren't you listening? I've got to-"
"Come with me to see the Hokage; Hokage's orders" Shikamaru finished in an absent tone and moved another bunch of noodles from chopsticks to mouth.
Naruto's eyes widened, "Kakashi Sensei sent for me? But then, what about Iruka-"
"I have already spoken to Iruka Sensei, Naruto, and he's glad for the day off" Shikamaru again interrupted.
Naruto blinked in surprise and then began to laugh it all off, "Alright! Alright! You win... so what does Kakashi Sensei want? Do you know?"
At this point, Shikamaru appeared hesitant and troubled, which told Naruto that he definetely knew what this was all about.
"Its the Hokage's place to tell you... but you're not in trouble... at least... not in the traditional sense" Shikamaru replied.
Naruto frowned, unhappy with Shikamaru's answer.
"If you say so" Naruto began, "You nearly done then?"
Shikamaru raised his eyebrows at Naruto and looked down at his ramen, half-finished, and snickered, "Yeah, whatever... let's get going".
With that , the pair left Naruto's apartment and headed for the Hokage building.
...
Naruto and Shikamaru walked side by side through the streets of the Hidden Leaf Village in a tense silence; Naruto still wanted to know what was going on and Shikamaru didn't want to be the one to tell him.
"Say, Shikamaru" Naruto began, "You look kind of tired; I hope you're getting enough sleep".
Shikamaru sighed, "I was able to get a few hours of shut-eye before coming to you, so it's all good".
Naruto raised an eyebrow at his friend; he looked like he needed a few days of sleep at the least.
"So how are things between you and Temari?" Naruto further questioned, causing Shikamaru to miss a step in shock.
"What!?" Shikamaru asked increduously.
Naruto giggled at his friends reaction, "You and Temari? How are things going between the two of you?"
"What makes you think there's anything between us to begin with; we're just friends" Shikamaru questioned Naruto, oblivious to the whole village's belief the two of them were a couple.
"Come on Shikamaru" Naruto stretched out his words exasperatedly, "We all know the two of you are... you know... together" the last word caused Naruto to giggle, allowing Shikamaru to realise the implication.
"No, we're not!" Shikamru stated firmly.
Naruto shrugged his shoulders, and in a tone that spoke volumes of how much he believed Shikamaru, he replied, "Whatever you say".
Shikamaru rolled his eyes, and with that, the two continued to walk through the village.
"How's the new arm?" Shikamaru asked, breaking the silence.
Naruto looked up at Shikamaru in surprise, and went on to move his bandaged arm back and forth, before replying, "Not too bad; Baa-Chan said it'd take a couple years for it to feel right again, but I guess thanks to Kuruma, it's already good after a few months".
"I guess being a Jinchuriki has its own benefits" Shikamaru commented absently.
And with that, the continued their silent routine.
"Are you going to tell me or not?" Naruto asked his friend when the Hokage Building was just a few dozen yards away.
Shikamaru sighed, knowing his friend would ask this question eventually, "No, and besides... we're almost there, so the Hokage will tell you soon enough".
"I just prefer to know what I'm going to get into" Naruto said softly, for the first time feeling that all of this was serious.
Shikamaru did not reply, instead he stared at his friend, worried for him as he knew how hard everything was about to get.
It wasn't until they were outside the Hokage's door, that Shikamaru finally spoke to Naruto, "Listen, a few words before you go in there".
Naruto turned to his friend, "Yeah?"
Shikamaru took a few seconds to gather his thoughts, thinking on what to say to help his friend, "Keep an open mind when you go in there and... if you ever need someone to talk to in the months to come... I'm all ears".
Naruto frowned; this was definitely something serious if Shikamaru was taking this so seriously. Naruto knew one question that Shikamaru would answer, and would give him a clear idea on just how serious all this is.
"Is it a drag?" Naruto asked him, face serious.
Shikamaru was taken aback by the question, but answered matching Naruto's seriousness, "It is most definitely a drag".
Naruto gulped; what was he in for?
Naruto held the door handle, and pulled it... he still had no idea what he was walking into.
...
Naruto and Shikamaru entered the Office of the Hokage, to the sight of Kakashi with his head resting on the desk, asleep.
"Lord Hokage, I've brought Naruto as you requested" Shikamaru said formally, knowing the man to be asleep regardless.
Kakashi stirred at the sound of Shikamaru's voice, "What?" he asked groggily.
Shikamaru rolled his eyes, "I've brought Naruto".
Kakashi sat up, and saw both Shikamaru and Naruto standing in front of him.
"Naruto? Why did you... oh... right..." Kakashi began to ask, feeling confused.
"Honestly, and you were the one who told me to get some sleep" Shikamaru accused the Hokage.
Kakashi rubbed the back of his head embarrassed and replied with a matching smile, "Well... I didn't plan on collapsing, so..."
"Collapsing?" Naruto asked, shocked, "I tell you, both of you... you guys need to learn how to sleep!"
"That's enough of that Naruto; Lord Hokage, if there is nothing else, I'll take my leave" Shikamaru said, bowing toward Kakashi.
"No, I'd like you to be here as I talk to Naruto, Shikamaru" Kakashi stopped Shikamaru in his tracks.
"So close" Shikamaru thought bitterly.
"Now then, Naruto" Kakashi began, looking at his former student intensely, "To start off, I'd like to know what you know about the 'Clan Restoration Act'".
Naruto frowned, "The 'Clan Restoration Act'?"
Kakashi nodded, "Yes, heard of it?"
Naruto thought, and nothing came to mind, so he shook his head.
Having been prepared for the inevitable answer, Kakashi still sighed as he said, "Well then... where to begin?"
Shikamaru cleared his throat loudly, capturing the attention of Naruto and Kakashi.
"Perhaps I can help, though I'd rather not" Shikamaru offered in his usual manner, eyes fixed to a point to his right.
Kakashi smiled, "Thanks Shikamaru, please go on".
Shikamaru nodded, "The Clan Restoration Act is as it sounds Naruto; it is an act devised to help restore a dying clan".
"A dying clan?" Naruto asked.
"You are a textbook case of not one but two clans Naruto" Shikamaru said, "Being the last member of the direct lines of Uzumaki and Namikaze".
"I see...but... how are they restored then?" Naruto asked the genius.
Shikamaru sighed in annoyance, "Naruto, its restored when the numbers go back up, and the Restoration Act drastically increases the numbers... by having you 'court' a minimum of ten women, Naruto".
"Court?" Naruto asked, confused.
"Have sex Naruto" Kakashi replied bluntly.
The room went quiet, and the tkcking of the room's clock echoed... until...
"That's so perverted!" Naruto screamed in shock.
"Good going, Lord Hokage, you were too straight forward!" Shikamaru scolded Kakashi.
Kakashi smiled and shrugged his shoulders, "You were taking too long".
Shikamaru gave himself a face palm in frustration and turned to Naruto.
"Since we are taking too long for our Hokage's liking, I should tell you that the council has issued the Clan Restoration Act to you, Naruto".
Naruto stared at Shikamaru in shock, "What did you say?"
"You heard me, and there is no way to get out of it" Shikamaru replied.
Naruto took a seat in front of Kakashi, shock of the news reeling inside him.
"I know you need time Naruto, but you only have six months to select at least ten women to be with for the rest of your life... or the council will make your choices for you" Kakashi warned Naruto.
Naruto couldn't believe it; a day started good with a friend and some ramen, and turned into a day that would change everything for him... forever.
...
After his meeting with Kakashi, Naruto was treated to some Ichiraku Ramen by Shikamaru.
"Why is this happening?" Naruto asked aloud.
With noodles still in his mouth, Shikamaru turned face to Naruto.
Swallowing, Shikamaru replied, "Blame the council, blame your luck... but whatever you do, don't blame me".
Naruto giggled before bringing his lips to the lip of his bowl and chugged down the flavorful broth remaining.
Sighing at the taste, Naruto replied, "I'll blame the pervert who created this stupid Act in the first place, how's that?"
Shikamaru frowned, "Do you want to know how the Act was established?"
Naruto looked at Shikamaru and shrugged, "Might as well".
Shikamaru let off a deep breath before he began.
"First a question; how many prominent clans are alive to this day, in the ninja world?"
Naruto frowned and shook his head, "I don't know, a few hundred?"
Shikamaru snickered, "It's surprisingly low; only eighty-seven".
Naruto whistled in surprise, "I thought there would be more than that".
"And a hundred years ago you'd be right; before the First Great Ninja War, there was well over a thousand clans... at the end of it, there was only a couple hundred, and many of those only had a few members left" Shikamaru informed Naruto, "That's when the Clan Restoration Act was created; to save all of those clans from extinction".
"I think I understand" Naruto said slowly, "Still though... this sucks!"
Shikamaru laughed, "Yeah it's drag... but silver lining; you're now living most men's dreams".
Naruto gave Shikamaru a confused look, making Shikamaru roll his eyes.
"You're going to have a Harem Naruto" Shikamaru told his flake of a friend, who began to assume a dawning look on his face.
"I see what you mean Shikamaru... still... It was never a dream of mine, I have only ever dreamt of one day, becoming Hokage".
Shikamaru smiled; It sometimes made the Nara surprised to see how pure hearted Naruto was... and now he truly wondered how his friend was going to fare in the times ahead.
"Hey Old Man!" Naruto called out, holding his empty bowl to the chef, "Another bowl please!"
A/N - This chapter was also shorter than I'd like but it served it's purpose for the plot I guess. Favorite and Follow if you like it, and I hope to see you all next chapter.